4 Car Repairs That Are Quietly Becoming Luxury-Level Expensive

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Car repairs aren’t exactly fun, though may not always cost you a ton of cash. A broken headlight or cracked windshield won’t cost you thousands even if the expense is annoying. 

However, even a seemingly minor repair can trigger huge bills, thanks to sensors, cameras, software and screens that are now standard in many vehicles. So much so that routine fixes are quietly creeping into luxury-level prices, even if you’re not driving a luxury car. 

Infotainment System Replacement

Infotainment systems can look like a small tablet in the center of your dashboard and can control your navigation, phone connectivity, climate settings and other core vehicle functions. 

When it fails, the replacement isn’t cheap. Depending on the vehicle and how integrated the system is, replacing one of these units can cost between $1,500 and $3,500 or more, per Auto-Display. The higher prices are more likely if you need to replace original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and require professional installation. 

ADAS Sensor Repairs

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring rely on sensors and cameras mounted around the vehicle. These systems are usually embedded into vehicle dashboards or infotainment systems and software. 

When any one of these components are damaged, no matter how small, you will pay the price. Unfortunately, since more vehicles come standard with ADAS features, any damage to the vehicle means that you’ll most likely need to pay for sensor repairs. 

The most recent data pulled from AAA found that the average cost to replace ADAS components around the front and side of the vehicle can cost around $1,500. Rear ones could set you back an average of $600 or so. 

ADAS Recalibration 

Even if you don’t need to replace the sensors on the vehicle, they often need recalibration after making repairs to your car. If not complete, then your safety systems may not work properly. 

ADAS calibration typically costs $300 to $500 per system and many vehicles require multiple calibrations depending on how many sensors are involved according to Revv, a calibration software for repair technicians. 

Key Fob and Smart Key Replacement

Keyless entry and push button start systems rely on encrypted chips and programming for your specific vehicle. Replacing a key fob usually costs $150 to $500 or more, according to Kelly Blue Book. The price can go up when you need the dealership to program it. 

Why Are Car Repairs Getting More Expensive?

One of the biggest factors behind rising repair costs is advances in technology. Modern vehicles have features like advanced driver assistance systems and integrated infotainment screens. In essence, they have electronic components that require specialized parts, software programming and precise calibration by technicians.

In fact, the previously mentioned AAA researched found that advanced vehicle technology can account for over a third of a driver’s total repair costs, even if the damage was relatively minor after a crash. 

It means that repairs that look simple to fix could require technicians to recalibrate cameras and sensors to meet manufacturing safety standards, according to Caliber Collision. The additional time to make these repairs could cost hundreds of dollars more.

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